KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica are through to the Concacaf W Championships after beating Guyana 2-0 at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday to top Group B of qualifying with maximum 12 points.

A goal in either half from Khadija “Bunny” Shaw and second half substitute Shania Hayles was enough for Jamaica despite a heroic effort from the Guyanese goalkeeper Arden La-rose who made 15 saves in the game.

Nicaragua were second in the group with nine points, Guyana finished third with six points, followed by Antigua and Dominica on one point each.

The winners of all six groups advance to the championships where they will be joined by the USA and Canada.

Shaw gave Jamaica an early lead, heading a corner from Deneisha Blackwood into the ground at the far left post as the ball rebounded over La-rose and two defenders.

After being denied by a combination of faulty finishing and an array of outstanding saves by La-rose, Hayles, who was dropped to the bench after starting against Antigua a week earlier, got the second goal in the 88th minute.

Hayles was well placed in the centre of the goal to guide a cross from another substitute, Paige Bailey, from the left side past the goalkeeper.

-Paul A Reid